National News

LAHORE, Sept 29 (APP): Defence analyst and chairperson of
South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University
Dr Maria Sultan has stressed for peaceful solution to
the Afghan issue.
Talking to APP in connection with President Donald Trump’s
new US policy on South Asia and Afghanistan, Dr Maria said that
if the US would impose more restrictions on Pakistan or take
any adverse action, then the war against terrorism would eventuaaly
be affected.
She said that global security paradigm had chnaged tremendously
with regard to changes in research, technology, trade and inter-state relations and changing dynamics of security itself across the
globe.
“We want effective and immediate US military efforts to
eliminate sanctuaries of terrorists and miscreants on the
Afghan soil, including those responsible for fomenting terror
in Pakistan,” she added.
No one has sacrificed more than Pakistan in the war on
terror, she said.
To a question about President Trump’s new US policy on South
Asia and Afghanistan, Dr Maria said that Paksitan’s contribution
and sacrifices as an ally had not been acknowledged by the US
and other world powers.
“Our commitment towards war against terrorism is unmatched.
We have achieved more successes in eliminating terrorism than
any other country,” she added.
She said that “we are not looking for any material or
financial assistance, but mutual trust, understanding and
acknowledgement of our contribution.”
“Pakistan has done a lot towards establishing peace in
Afghanistan and it will continue its efforts in this regard,
not to appease anyone but in line with its interest and
national policy,” she added.
Lauding the role of the armed forces, Maria said that
Pak Army’s contribution to war against terrorists was
unparallel.
Pakistan, since its creation, has faced unremitting
hostility from its eastern neighbour, she said. India
refuses to implement the unanimous resolutions of the
UN Security Council, which mandated a UN-supervised
plebiscite to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir
to freely decide their destiny, she added.
Instead, India has deployed nearly 700,000 troops in
Occupied Kashmir to suppress the legitimate struggle of
Kashmiris, Dr Maria added. “This is the most intense
foreign military occupation in recent history,” she
said.
Maria Sultan said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC) was the common destiny of the region and it would
help improve relations with Russia and Central Asian
Republics (CARs).
She said that Gwadar Port would account for 17.7 per
cent world trade and completion of CPEC would trigger
higher growth rate as compared with India.
Dr Maria said that Pakistan requires an out-of-the-box
approach for the changing environment and preparing
Pakistan for the future challenges.